QuoteWhen there is a conflict between a persons speech and his/her behaviour, it is safer to believe the behaviour to be the more accurate indicator of character than the speech. Its that old saw about 'walking the talk' again. Stoic, I totally agree!
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

The Dalai Lama is associated with kindness: I am not a Buddhist, but I liked the simplicity of the above quotation. Still, we can't forget that his belief system also includes a big emphasis on karma and reincarnation. Here's an excerpt from his book Healing Anger: And another one: While I believe that we are responsible for our every thought, word and action, if
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Thanks, Anticult. Right now I'm feeling a bit raw.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Anticult, what you say is all too true. The more I realise how much I allowed myself to get suckered, the more foolish I feel. I'm trying to console myself with the thought that now that I've opened my eyes and am less trusting, I am less likely to fall for more lies.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Another thought: It's always interesting to read the negative reviews of New Wage materials on Amazon. People who dare to be critical are judged harshly and ridiculed for being ego oriented. So much for love. Connie L. Schmidt's post re the reactions to a negative review of The Power sums it up really well: QuoteWell, the responses to Steve Salerno's comment are going along p
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

It's not just New Wagers who will shower you with attention in the early part of your association. Jews for Jesus were very attentive when they were hustling me for Jesus. One guy would call me regularly to stay in touch. He reminded me of a telemarketer because when I asked him questions it would throw him off and he would return to his script -- never answering my questions to my satis
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Here's an example of New Thought and how it's supposed to work from The Golden Key by Emmet Fox QuoteScientific prayer will enable you to get yourself or anyone else, out of any difficulty. It is the golden key to harmony and happiness. ... QuoteBeginners often get startling results the first time, for all that is essential is to have an open mind and sufficient faith to try the e
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Thank you Stoic and The Anticult!! "Love bombing" is exactly right. Re. New Thought, thank you for the links. I'm embarrassed to admit I have five books by Emmet Fox. No matter how much I tried, this stuff didn't work for me. If I could have back all the time and money I've wasted over the years on these books and seminars!!! Here's an excerpt from Fox's b
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Hi Brynhild, Thanks for responding. I suspect a lot of us were primed as targets for cults, but the good thing is we can learn from our experiences, become stronger and share what we've learned with others. Unfortunately, our society is becoming increasingly narcissistic and people who desire more power, money, love or better health can easily fall for this nonsense. Living in a dis
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

When I look back I realize that some of the coldest, most abusive people I have ever met were New Agers. A former co-worker was into New Age thinking (one of her favourite books being Marianne Williamson's A Return to Love) and she was ruthless in her pursuit of making more money. It was well known that she had no qualms about stepping on other people to get what she wanted, including a co-w
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Something occurred to me today and I'm still sorting it out in my mind. It seems that cults use love (and the promise of more love) as a way of luring people to join. After you become a participant if you're not a good little lemming, than you will be criticised, threatened and or shunned. So much for unconditional love. It's all fake. Love is also supposed to be a way of makin
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Hi NotEnlightened, Thank you for your response. I definitely don't want to pin all my hopes on EFT or any other tool. That would be like saying "Hey, aspirin got rid of my headache, so maybe I can skip going to emergency and take aspirin for my broken leg." You say: QuoteMy take is that EFT may offer help, but it is not due to the mechanisms that its creator has laid ou
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Hi Stoic, Thank you for your response. I agree with you about our minds being amazing and that the placebo effect can be a huge factor. Although having said that, I never could figure out why self-hypnosis and the Silva Method didn't work for me. I'm very visual and was very motivated when I tried out these two techniques. But in the end despite other people's enthusiastic claim
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Not Enlightened, I have found the people on this board to be helpful as I search for answers. I'm finding that as New Wage beliefs become accepted as main stream it can be frustrating to be always the odd one out as I encounter yet another person who is bubbling over with enthusiasm about Eat, Pray, Love, Mr. Tolle, etc. I've come to believe that religions are too cultish for me.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Hi Brynhild, If what I wrote helps you or any other reader, that's a good thing. Too many people (not just New Wage gurus) are happy to play with our minds and make huge promises with the goal being not to help us, but to empty our minds so they can empty our bank accounts. If there's one thing I have learned during my years on this planet it's the importance of listening to
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

There's a Silva book out called You the Healer. The last chapter is called "Affecting the Weather" and someone shares her story about getting rid of fog. Seriously, I'm not making this up. She claims to have gotten rid of fog so that her plane could take off. In the same book there's a chapter called "Correcting Abnormal Behaviour." Some of the examples menti
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I'm embarrassed to admit that I took a Silva course several years ago. I can't remember much other than it being very long hours and taking up my entire weekend. We were told at the beginning that if we were not satisfied for any reason we could get a full refund. Part way through the course I was already thinking about asking for a refund because it was getting weirder and weirder. The
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

This article in The Globe and Mail would definitely apply to the New Wage industry.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I just checked the city's library system online and they have 264 copies of this book and only 8 holds. Clearly the library was expecting The Power to be a lot more popular. Meanwhile there are 38 holds and 105 copies of The Secret (book edition) and 11 holds / 36 copies of the DVD. If the LOA was working for Rhonda Byrne, you would think there would be a lot more holds.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Here's an interesting article I came across in The Globe and Mail about our obsession with happiness. Books like EPL cash in on this trend.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Here's an interesting article I came across in The Globe and Mail about our obsession with happiness. Books like The Power cash in on this trend.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Totally got that you were being sarcastic. How could anyone keep a straight face whilst talking about ACIM? It's material that could easily be used for a dark comedy. The book is most unreadable! Reminds me of the Scientology materials. I tried getting through a couple of books for research I was doing. My eyes glazed over from boredom. Same with a few pages of Tolle, Byron Katie and Gary
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

A miracle??? Actually, it's creepy, dishonest and the list just goes on and on. I tried reading the first three or four lessons. I don't know anything about brainwashing, but I got the distinct feeling that the book was heading in that direction.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

QuoteThe A Course in Miracles book, beyond the New Age "peace of mind" thing, is new Age Christ Consciousness stuff. That means they tell you that you can ultimately learn to have the miracle powers of Jesus, and all that kinda stuff, walk on water, materialize some fishes and loaves, heal the sick, raise the dead) How do you do it? Believe you can real hard! Doesn't work? Then tak
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

A few years ago I decided to investigate ACIM for myself. I had read various Self-Help and New Wage books that frequently referred to it. In addition, my two worst therapists loved the book. To be honest I couldn't get very far with it -- just a few lessons. Let's just say it wasn't for me and for a change I listened to my intuition and didn't pursue it. Here's a s
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Yes, the cult of Liz. How fitting. I've been saying she's got a cultlike following and it is way too creepy. Out of curiosity I did a quick Google search as you suggested and found this article: At the end Gilbert admits she's not so much into meditation these days. QuoteFans of "Eat, Pray, Love" may be surprised to learn that this woman who spent months in
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Anticult, I wish I could be more optimistic about what you just wrote about exposing Elizabeth Gilbert and the cult she was involved in. She isn't just a writer. She's a "personality" who is now revered as some kind of heroine. She has contacts and fans, including Oprah. Gilbert's publisher invested a lot of money in her trip and wants to continue to make money. I c
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Rhonda Byrne divulges new 'Secret' in 'The Power' by Deirdre Donahue - Aug. 17, 2010 11:52 AM USA TODAY Mark your calendars. Today the economic downturn ends. Why? Self-help priestess Rhonda Byrne returns with "The Power" and a novel solution to our money woes. It's not a faltering economy or Wall Street that are at fault, it's our feelings. &q
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Here's a review of The Power on amazon.com by Steve Salerno author of SHAM: How the Self-Help Movement Made America Helpless Some years ago a little-known Australian TV writer/producer burst on the scene with a book (originally a virally promoted DVD) titled "The Secret." The publicity for that project promised as follows (and here I quote from an interview given by Byrne hersel
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

It seems Rhonda Byrne is ready to attract more $$$ into her life. She's got a new book out called The Power. Here's the summary: "The Secret revealed the law of attraction. Now, Rhonda Byrne reveals the greatest force in the universe. This is the handbook to the greatest power in the Universe The Power to have anything you want. In "The Power," Rhonda takes the law
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"